I have asked this to a few people, but I still don't understand
I have been told in my life many different things about prayers, so I'm confused. I just figured ou that I didn't have my religion checked so I didn't know about this forum

does God answer all prayers??? If not...does He let you know somehow that it's not in his plan for you or that you are being selfish???

I know God answers in his time not ours, but how do you know whether to have hope or just give up?

I am struggling with so many things in my life. how do I know if praying for or about them is selfish?

Yes, God does answer all prayers, even though the outcome may not be exactly how you wanted it to be. I think that most of the time we can tell if our prayers are selfish, such as if you are praying for a new video game vs. a friend that has cancer... i know there have been many times in my life where there was a clear and concise answer straight from God; for example, i've had mono since tuesday and have been suffering debilitating pain. me and my family have been praying for the sickness to subside, and just this morning I went to a particular doctor (I originally was going to go to urgent care, but for some reason my mom thought of this doctor we haven't been to in over 5 years). the doctor prescribed me some steroids, and about an hour after I take the first pill I am feeling almost back to normal.

Many people will say, "oh that is just a coincidence" but I'm not one to believe that there is such a thing as a coincidence. God has a hand in all of our lives, and the power of prayer is very real.

I pray for others first and that matters to me more. I understand about material things etc, but what about a job or the heart or something like that? If someone feels it's needed more than just wanted, is that selfish?

I'm very happy to hear you are doing better

i'm sure this question sounds silly to some, but I have been told so many different things growing up that I don't know what is true about it

good question,I have no idea

stay with me mirror....maybe we can understand

for lack of a better phrase....are there rules/guidelines? I'm trying to learn to rely on prayers and not trying to fix everything myself

Excellent topic! Yes, God does answer all prayers (of His Children). And by that I mean the believers of Jesus Christ. Those who worship false Gods or who turn their face away from God, He also turns His face from them. But there is Grace, Mercy and endless Salvation for all who accept Him, follow, and obey.
He has a plan for ALL of His children. And there will be times in your life where you will pray for something to happen or for something to come to you. He who is The Beginning and The End knows all things...including what is right for you. At times he may not let what you pray for come to you right away, for there may be something you need to learn from a test or trial to help build character of strength FIRST.
Other times, God may not give you what you ask for or even take something from your life that has meaning to you. Rest assured than in His infinate wisdom and plan--He will never cause intentional pain to His children as He wants them all to feel joy and peace. But He may take something out of your life only so that He may replace it with something better for you later on. You must have faith that He alone has laid your path before you and will see it to completion!
Raise ALL of your burdens to Him!

There is something else you should know. Prayers are not the end all be all of your solutions. Jesus does not just want for us all to pray but to have a real and true relationship with Him. And just like in any relatonship there is give and take. Any conversation, especially between friends, has questions as well as answers. Pray! Absolutely. Pray every chance you get not only in hard times when you are asking God for something, but pray just to praise and speak to the Lord. He loves to hear your voice! But there is a second part to this conversaton--listening. He likes to be heard too. Meditation and/or being in the presence of the Holy Spirit will allow you to quiet your mind, and open your heart and soul to better hear Him speak to you. And I'm not talking about a loud booming voice from Heaven that you will hear audibly. The Holy Spirit helps us communicate to God and to understand better your path while in this world.

You should never "just give up" on Him, as He is with you always. Perhaps start trying meditation in combination with your prayers and you may just find the answers to your struggles, Sister!

it's just so hard when you are hurting so bad. He has blessed me in so many ways. I could never give up on Him. I just have so many questions that I don't understand

That is not uncommon at all my dear! As an intercessor, I do an awful lot of ministry and outreach with others. If you need to talk to someone about these questions you have and the struggles you are facing, I would be glad to speak with you and/or refer you to other intercessors for help anytime.

i am very hurt and confused right now. i have been accused of things i didn't do. i was called a liar. i'm not perfect but i'll own up to my mistakes. i don't understand how someone could think highly of someone and love them then turn around and accuse them of something they didn't do.

My mom tells me that when they are talking about you it is because you are doing something and when they are picking on you that they are leaving someone else alone. It makes you an interesting person when you think about it. The way I look at it is you can turn it all over to God and that which he doesn't answer he might be leaving up to you because he feels that you can handle them. In his time I agree with that. He does work in mysterious ways. I pray that God will be with you and hold you in the palm of his hand.

no...i can't handle it. this person has never spoken to me with coldness and i don't understand why he believes these things that i didn't do. why would God allow that?

i feel abandoned. Maybe I have done something and not deserving

why pray for non-believers or those that don't know prayer if nothing can be done?

serously...i want to know. my faith has gone down ALOT. can someone please tell me???? why pray for others?

You will go through this stage as a Christian. Questions are good, I promise you will grow through this.

Prayer is largely about getting in touch with the will of God. God answers all prayers, sometimes "yes" and sometimes "no". It is upto Him and His Spirit to let you know.

Keep asking, do not give up hope unless God closes the door. And He will do this if it is not of His will.

Take a good look at your own heart, are your prayers consumed with yourself rather than others. An intercessory heart is an awesome thing.

This is important to, His will is going to take place regardless of rather you pray or not, but you are called upon as a Christian to pray fervently.

"the prayer of a righteous man avails much" This righteous man whom the scriptures speak about has tapped into the will of God.

Read the prayer of Jesus right before He went to the Cross. Examine the the prayer He taught his desciples in depth. "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done".

Pray scripture if you are confused,

"Do not let your heart be troubled"

Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

At our meeting tonight a member who is just coming into the program and who is also a CNA like me at another nursing home was told by a resident's family to go see this resident who mangled by a drunk driver. The family told her, "See what can happen when you drink." It had a profound effect on the CNA as she told us tonight while she was in tears. One member at the meeting said it might be a spiritual experience she was having. Praying for others can change the way they look at things. We can grow indifferent to the feelings and emotions of others if we see a lot of tragedy. But with God's help we can be changed from the creatures that we are and after a while others can see that change in us.

Matthew 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.

Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Remember Job. He asked God question after question. Rightfully so.


Now meditate on this.

How did God answer Job?



His own set of questions, more than you or I would like to count.